The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever

by Rick Kaempfer

356 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2023

Reviews

[K.P. Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Kaempfer is the Midwest's "King of Media". His weekly media mash-up "Rick's Media Notebook" has evolved into one of the most widely read media-related blogs in the Midwest and attracts fans globally. His incredible knowledge of "All-Things-Radio-and-TV" knows no bounds. That being said...this book is a must-read for classic rock radio-lovers. What sets this book apart and makes it even more captivating is the fact that Rick Kaempfer was actually there! He was a living breathing part of the story...as a producer and on-air host for The LOOP in its heyday...giving him first-hand access to everyone and everything you could ever want to know about this outrageously groundbreaking, innovative, trailblazing radio powerhouse. The book is jam-packed with first-hand accounts from all the folks who were actually there and made it all happen. The "insider" aspect is what sets this masterpiece apart from other works about this station. If you were a die-hard LOOP fan...this book needs to be a MUST READ, MUST HAVE, MUST KEEP FOREVER part of your collection!

[Andrew Langert · Rating 4 out of 5]

To best enjoy this book, you probably need to be a Chicagoan. This is a compilation of interviews with seemingly everyone associated with The Loop radi0 station from 1977-1998. Though this station was never my favorite, except for the period of time when Jonathan Brandmeier was the morning man, I was always interested in the antics of the many interesting characters that hallowed their halls.
Rick Kaempfer did a marvelous job weaving all these interviews together to create a comprehensive and easy to follow story. There was very little repetition and nothing mundane about the presentation.
The egos of these characters were massive. But they knew how to entertain.

[Lorene · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so much fun to read about The Loop. I have such fond memories of going to Johnny B concerts at Poplar Creek and to live shows at some softball field in Lincoln Park and the Hyatt Riverwalk, I think? We knew it was crazy, but I don't think we really knew how crazy it was because we had nothing to compare it to. If you were listening to the radio in Chicago in the 80s and 90s, this is a must read.

[Steve Bertok · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have listened to the Loop radio station in your life and loved personalities like Johnny B, Steve & Gary or Kevin Mathews, you have to read this book. Great excerpts from people that worked there. It had me laughing at different entics that these jocs did.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally fun cool romp through some old radio memories.
I worked doing deliveries through many of these years, and drove to other jobs, so I spent a lot of hours in the car with these characters.